Dr. Jerri Nielsen sent this All-Station memo at the South Pole in January. Pole Station closes for the winter in February. The next October she was medevac'd.

From: "SOUTH POLE DOCTOR DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNT"
To: #everyone
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 11:48:17 +1200
Subject: Biomed philosophy and hours

My Dear Friends,

I have been asked to set regular hours. This is more comfortable for many people and that is fine with me. I have been told that I am working too much and too late. Originally, I set my hours as 24 hours a day. I am the only medical provider here. Since you, my friends, work 3 shifts, I made myself available whenever you needed me, rarely leaving the Dome.

I consider myself to be a servant. I tried, in my scientific mind, plotting visits for 3 weeks. This showed me that you need my services over a period of 20 hours. That doesn't permit much sleep. As much as I would like to spend my time only caring for your needs, I also scrub biomed daily for safety's sake, do all the inventory and machinery maintenance, laundry, sterilization , records, recomendations, keep up the lab and xray chemicals and machinery. The list goes on and on. Not what the average doctor does, but this is the harsh continent.

I also am actively training multiple individuals to take my place in the event that I should not be able to do my duty to my community this winter. If you are interested in medical training, let me know. I would like to know that in the case of my death, my folks could figure it out. I have the books and resourses that would let you take care of most problems. I only need to show you how to use the information. I teach Emergency Medicine at a major University, when I am of the world, and can teach you, if you wish. Just call. I almost love teaching as much as I love healing. Personally, I love to take care of the sick, injured and bewildered. This is my greatest joy. You are NEVER bothering me with the slightest concern. How much I love the opportunity to learn from all of you, who know different things than I do. Thank you. If you need me, please just ask. If you need to talk, I am available. What I know I can not tell, this is part of my oath to my profession.

As you all know, in this tight community, today, I have lost my friend. She was a doctor's daughter. She watched her father and she watched me, working late every night. And she asked that I write this letter. I, being loyal to the death, will honor my lost friend, with her last request. I have set my hours for medical evaluation, by McMurdo hours. If this is inconvient to you, please call and I willl see you when it is convient to you. Just email me or call or see me and I will set it up for you. I am to serve.

Your friend, your doctor,

Jerri Lin

Jerri Lin Nielsen MD
South Pole Physician